Hannah Gutierrez-Reed, the Rust armourer, receives an 18-month prison sentence

Hannah Gutierrez, the armourer on the sets of the movie Rust, has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for involuntary manslaughter in the tragic shooting incident that resulted in the death of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins in 2021. While actor Alec Baldwin pulled the trigger, a jury found Gutierrez-Reed responsible for loading a live round into the revolver used on the Santa Fe, New Mexico set.

Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer highlighted Gutierrez-Reed’s lack of accountability, referencing phone calls made from jail where she failed to express remorse for her actions. Despite facing a maximum sentence of 18 months and a $5,000 fine, Gutierrez-Reed’s lawyer requested probation citing her clean criminal record.

In a statement before the court, Gutierrez-Reed expressed sorrow for Hutchins’ family and the film industry, requesting probation and willingness to comply with any ordered classes. Following the verdict, her legal team plans to appeal the prison sentence on multiple grounds.

Meanwhile, attorney Gloria Allred, representing Hutchins’ family, deemed the sentence appropriate given Gutierrez-Reed’s lack of remorse. The family, based in Kyiv, Ukraine, expressed their ongoing pain and hope for fair justice in the case.

The focus now shifts to Alec Baldwin, who is set to face trial in July for involuntary manslaughter in connection to the shooting. The incident, which also injured director Joel Souza, has sparked intense scrutiny and legal proceedings as the industry grapples with the tragic loss of Halyna Hutchins.